The day book. (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, December 20, 1916, LAST EDITION, Image 19

Image and text provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

Crosset became footsore and exhausted before they had gone morethan a third of the day's tramp. Theywere forced to stop and care for him.e Besides Fendrick arid Crosset, theparty consisted of Perkins and Blake,miners, and Wessner, the cook. Themen began to grumble at the delay,and finally they were for turningback and leaving the "excess baggage," as they called Crosgett, at thenearest town and making a freshstart Fendrick was in a dilemma,but the young man begged so to goon that he persuaded the men to giveKim another chance. He really did domuch better and they finally reachedthe place where Fendrick decided toSo into camp as a gtJod point fromwhich to take short exploring trips.Crpsset came back from the firsttrip so fagged that he decided to remain the next day in camp with thecook. The other men hailed thenews with satisfaction and startedoff on their hike. Shortly after theyleft Crosset put a knife in his belt,shouldered a rifle and looked in atthe door of the rude cooking shed,where Wessner was washing the potsand pans. ."Well, you don't say you're goingsomewhere," cried ' Wessner derisively. "Just going to look around a bit,"casually observed Crosset"You look as though you was goaded fer bar. Guess you'll get all tiredout for nothin'," he sniffed. ."Well, that's my funeral and youdon't have to come to it!" snappedthe young man, and turning away,he was soon lost to sight.Wessner had beeR foremost amongtern in voicing his contempt for thetenderfoot, and he smiled audibly asCrosset plunged through the bushes.The young man had fpund his gibesrather the hardest to stand; but heknew what a drawback he had beento the party and he had the goodsense to take his medicine as quietlyas possible.. It was. getting ner the time, forthe men's return and Wessner wasbusy getting the dinner. He heard aslight crackling of twigs."Guess the 'baggage' smells dinnerand is going to Jfoe first on ,the grublist," he said to himself.But when Crosset did not appearat the end of about ten minutesWessner came arid looked about."Bet that was a fox," he thought"Gee! Wouldn't I like to get him."Remembering, the dinner arid hisresponsibility as cook he gave up. theidea of a hunt and turned back tohis duties. .There was going to bea treat in the shape of a dessert ofwild honey he had found in a beetree. He chuckled as he thought of-the delighted surprise of the men.As he neared the shed he thoughthe saw something moving inside.With deep disgust he wondered "ifthat baggage has got at that honey."The next instant he saw -the shaggy coat of a large grizzly bear intenton maMng short work of the dessert.Wessner turned and shinned up thenearest tree. The branch he washanging onto was not a very strongone" and he was in constant terrorlest it should break. From his vantage point he could see the grizzlyclearing off the dishes with neatnessand dispatch. It seemed hours thathe hung to that limb and waited forsome' one to appear. He heard acrackling of twigs, and, fearful lestit should be another bear, was quietBut no, it was "the baggage.""Hold on!" he yelled . "There's agrizzly in the kitchen! Up a tree!: Quick!"Instead of taking his advice Crosset came toward him."Keep still," he hissed, and creptalong toward the shed.The next instant a shot rang outThe bear turned and sighted Crossetand bounded toward him. A secondshot caused a red stream to spoutfrom his throat, but scarcely haltedhim. Wessner held his reath.It was all up with "the baggage."But the bear almost UDon the man.